Box Score SASKATOON, SASK. – The Cougars live to fight another day.

The Mount Royal University Cougars defeated the University Saskatchewan Huskies 2-1 in overtime to force a deciding game three in the Canada West Men's Hockey Championship.

With their back against the wall, MRU looked slightly timid in the first period and apprehensive to make a game-altering mistake.

With under four minutes left in the opening frame, Huskies rookie Trevor Wong broke the ice with a shot that beat Mount Royal goaltender Shane Farkas' low blocker.

After Wong's marker, the Huskies focused on preserving their lead. 

Canada West Goaltender of the Year Roddy Ross was sharp for Saskatchewan, making timely saves to keep the Cougars off the board.

Despite Mount Royal beginning to amp up the pressure, Ross and the Huskies answered the call to keep it a 1-0 game.

Until Teague Patton had something to say about it.

With just under five minutes left in the third period, MRU defenceman Kyle Walker straddled the blue before sending a low shot toward the Huskies' net. Patton got just enough of a piece to alter the puck's direction, which squeaked through Ross and trickled across the line.

It took a lot of effort for Mount Royal to tie the game but they had finally done it.

However, the Cougars weren't out of the woods yet.

Cougars veteran Josh Tarzwell lined up Huskies forward Liam Keeler for a massive hit near the benches, causing Keeler to be shaken up. Although a penalty was not initially called and it appeared Tarzwell put his shoulder to Keeler's chest, the officials conferred and ultimately assessed the Mount Royal forward a five-minute major for checking to the head.

Mount Royal's penalty kill proceeded to put on a clinic, led by third-year forward Blake Stevenson. The Cougars had survived and forced overtime but still had some of the Huskies' man-advantage left to kill in the extra period.

And that they did.

"That's the nature of this sport. You have to battle through adversity. Particularly with our bench and penalty killers. I thought we had good structure and we were on our toes," said MRU head coach Bert Gilling.

Though the Cougars were not happy with the call and one of their most impactful players, Tarzwell, had been given the gate, they had to move on with hopes of forcing a game three.

"You look up at the clock; you see the situation. It is what it is. You say your piece to the officials but then you have to take care of business," said Gilling.

Not only did Mount Royal take care of business on the kill, but they also found the bounce they were desperate for on the offensive end.

Canada West MVP and Defenceman of the Year Clay Hanus had yet to record a point in the playoffs so far but 8:52 into the first overtime period, the Minnesotan changed that.

Teague Patton shoveled a short pass to the blueliner and Hanus one-timed a shot through traffic that fooled Roddy Ross and found the back of the net. Hanus' heroics sent a sold-out Merlis Belsher Place into silence.

"We had a good breakout and Teague skated up the ice and put it my way; you know, in overtime, I think everything goes on net. I thought I'd throw it on there and fortunately, I got a lucky bounce," said Hanus.

A lucky bounce or not, the Cougars had successfully forced game three. Coming off a grueling win, they feel confident going into the biggest game of the season.

"I got all the confidence in the world with our group going into tomorrow's game. We're going to try to ride this high into game three," said Hanus.

The Canada West Men's Hockey Championship will be awarded on Sunday in Saskatoon. The all-important game three is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ST. Stream the game live on Canada West TV – Powered by BioSteel.